uni essentials?
after getting my first unconditional offer yesterday (🥳) i now know for definite i’m moving away. i’m trying to sort of start collecting stuff early so im not panic buying in august, what are some things i should look into getting that are essentials?
Reply 1
Original post
by kieraadnafter getting my first unconditional offer yesterday (🥳) i now know for definite i’m moving away. i’m trying to sort of start collecting stuff early so im not panic buying in august, what are some things i should look into getting that are essentials?
Hey @kieraadn
Congrats on the unconditional!! 🥳
I have added a link to a list of the UCAS packing list as it covers most of the essentials and I found it helpful when I first came to university:
https://www.ucas.com/money-and-student-life/student-life/starting-university-or-college/a-list-of-absolutely-everything-you-need-to-take-to-university-or-college
I'd 100% get 1 or 2 of the plug extensions as lots of uni accommodation have limited sockets (IKEA does a 2 pack which is affordable which you can find on https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/koppla-4-way-socket-earthed-white-30412033/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic-shopping&utm_campaign=shopping_feed&utm_content=free_google_shopping_clicks_LightingHomeelectronics).
To be honest though, its not the end of the world if you forget a few things. I somehow forgot to bring saucepans and had to go to the shop with my new flatmates and it was a nice bonding activity. I've heard of people going with new friends they had made too and its a nice way to settle into uni life.
Good luck with shopping and packing!
From Cara (2nd year Marketing student)
Reply 2
kieraadn
OP
3
Original post
by UWE Official RepHey @kieraadn
Congrats on the unconditional!! 🥳
I have added a link to a list of the UCAS packing list as it covers most of the essentials and I found it helpful when I first came to university:
https://www.ucas.com/money-and-student-life/student-life/starting-university-or-college/a-list-of-absolutely-everything-you-need-to-take-to-university-or-college
I'd 100% get 1 or 2 of the plug extensions as lots of uni accommodation have limited sockets (IKEA does a 2 pack which is affordable which you can find on https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/koppla-4-way-socket-earthed-white-30412033/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic-shopping&utm_campaign=shopping_feed&utm_content=free_google_shopping_clicks_LightingHomeelectronics).
To be honest though, its not the end of the world if you forget a few things. I somehow forgot to bring saucepans and had to go to the shop with my new flatmates and it was a nice bonding activity. I've heard of people going with new friends they had made too and its a nice way to settle into uni life.
Good luck with shopping and packing!
From Cara (2nd year Marketing student)
Congrats on the unconditional!! 🥳
I have added a link to a list of the UCAS packing list as it covers most of the essentials and I found it helpful when I first came to university:
https://www.ucas.com/money-and-student-life/student-life/starting-university-or-college/a-list-of-absolutely-everything-you-need-to-take-to-university-or-college
I'd 100% get 1 or 2 of the plug extensions as lots of uni accommodation have limited sockets (IKEA does a 2 pack which is affordable which you can find on https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/koppla-4-way-socket-earthed-white-30412033/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic-shopping&utm_campaign=shopping_feed&utm_content=free_google_shopping_clicks_LightingHomeelectronics).
To be honest though, its not the end of the world if you forget a few things. I somehow forgot to bring saucepans and had to go to the shop with my new flatmates and it was a nice bonding activity. I've heard of people going with new friends they had made too and its a nice way to settle into uni life.
Good luck with shopping and packing!
From Cara (2nd year Marketing student)
thank you so much cara 🫶🏻
Reply 3
Original post
by kieraadnafter getting my first unconditional offer yesterday (🥳) i now know for definite i’m moving away. i’m trying to sort of start collecting stuff early so im not panic buying in august, what are some things i should look into getting that are essentials?
Hi there.
Congratulations, that is exciting!
Here are a couple of things that I found really useful (as well as everything you will find on packing lists like the ones linked here):
•
Two sets of bedding/towels if you can as this way you will have ones to put on while yours are in the wash.
•
An airer for your laundry as the dryers will be quite expensive and you won't want to use them for everything in case they shrink.
•
Cutlery/plates etc that are coloured or patterns so you can differentiate them from your flatmates!
I hope some of this helps 🙂
Lucy -SHU student ambassador.
Reply 4
kieraadn
OP
3
Original post
by hallamstudentsHi there.
Congratulations, that is exciting!
Here are a couple of things that I found really useful (as well as everything you will find on packing lists like the ones linked here):
I hope some of this helps 🙂
Lucy -SHU student ambassador.
Congratulations, that is exciting!
Here are a couple of things that I found really useful (as well as everything you will find on packing lists like the ones linked here):
•
Two sets of bedding/towels if you can as this way you will have ones to put on while yours are in the wash.
•
An airer for your laundry as the dryers will be quite expensive and you won't want to use them for everything in case they shrink.
•
Cutlery/plates etc that are coloured or patterns so you can differentiate them from your flatmates!
I hope some of this helps 🙂
Lucy -SHU student ambassador.
thank you so much lucy!
Reply 5
Original post
by kieraadnafter getting my first unconditional offer yesterday (🥳) i now know for definite i’m moving away. i’m trying to sort of start collecting stuff early so im not panic buying in august, what are some things i should look into getting that are essentials?
In my uni years i used to have so much brought with me ,so i can pass down wisdom to others. You should bring:
-Bedsheets + towels ; wet towels as well for cleaning (most accommodations have wooden floors so it's easier to clean them off instead with mop)
-The hygiene products
-Cutlery (i prefer having various sizes of knives/spoons/forks)
-A few plates, bowls and pots
-You can buy detergent for dishes/clothes any time, but i think it wouldn't hurt bringing a few bottles, the minimum to staff off.
EDIT: I forgot about some devices:
-Kettle, the ones student halls have may not be clean.
-Cooler pad for laptop (generally, all latops needs some space between surface and bottom to reduce heat)
-USB
Reply 6
If I might make a few recommendations as the big stuff is easy to remember but little things are useful too.
A USB to keep on your keys for files you may need, yes you’ll have access to a online cloud (OneDrive) but I always have preferred using software available on PCs as opposed to cloud files as you have much more flexibility on them.
Also, buy something on Amazon (or wherever you can find it) called UdderLok. Trust me, at uni your milk will run dry quick. Buy this as it’s around a fiver or whatever but will allow you to drink your milk and not have others steal it!
Bottle opener for keys. Useful for socialising and you’ll never be without the means to open a drink. You can sometimes find these given out at open days though (still using mine 7 years after getting it)! 😂
Microwaveable cooking utensils. These save so much time cooking veges in the microwave as opposed to to boiling them and waiting for the water to boil (it steams them) as you can cook broccoli in about 5-6 mins as opposed to the 20 you’d need waiting for the water to boil on the hob.
A USB to keep on your keys for files you may need, yes you’ll have access to a online cloud (OneDrive) but I always have preferred using software available on PCs as opposed to cloud files as you have much more flexibility on them.
Also, buy something on Amazon (or wherever you can find it) called UdderLok. Trust me, at uni your milk will run dry quick. Buy this as it’s around a fiver or whatever but will allow you to drink your milk and not have others steal it!
Bottle opener for keys. Useful for socialising and you’ll never be without the means to open a drink. You can sometimes find these given out at open days though (still using mine 7 years after getting it)! 😂
Microwaveable cooking utensils. These save so much time cooking veges in the microwave as opposed to to boiling them and waiting for the water to boil (it steams them) as you can cook broccoli in about 5-6 mins as opposed to the 20 you’d need waiting for the water to boil on the hob.
Reply 7
Oh and one more thing. Refillable water bottles are a lifesaver in terms of money. Just remember to wash it out as buying one for a fiver will last you years!
Plenty of water refill stations around campuses!
Plenty of water refill stations around campuses!
Reply 8
Original post
by kieraadnafter getting my first unconditional offer yesterday (🥳) i now know for definite i’m moving away. i’m trying to sort of start collecting stuff early so im not panic buying in august, what are some things i should look into getting that are essentials?
Hi @kieraadn 👋
Hope you are well. Congratulations on your offer! Some essentials I would definitely recommend are clothes hangers, a laundry hamper, extra plugs, kitchen cutlery and utensils, two sets of bedding can be useful if you want to wash one and leave another on!
Essex Student Rep- Lavanya 💜
Reply 9
Original post
by kieraadnafter getting my first unconditional offer yesterday (🥳) i now know for definite i’m moving away. i’m trying to sort of start collecting stuff early so im not panic buying in august, what are some things i should look into getting that are essentials?
Heyy @kieraadn !
First and foremost, congratulations on your unconditional offer!! 🎉 That is AMAZING and you should be so proud. 🤍
Before I give a teeny (not so teeny) list of items I bought, great thinking for planning ahead and slowly buying up items! It's genuinely the smartest thing to do and my go to tip for other students packing. I did this myself - a little later than you - but it gave me loads of time to comfortably buy everything!! ✨
I've seen a lot of people advising two sets of beddings and towels, and I most certainly agree that you should do this! For most of your items I do recommend two of each as it allows for interchangeable usage: wash one, swap into the other!
Lastly, it's good to go see your accommodation to see what they have/don't have. Like it might have really good oven trays or terrible ones, and that would mean you'd definitely need to buy your own!! 😭
Anyways, onto the huge huge list!
Kitchen 🍳
- Bowls, Plates, any of the sort that you dish food out on! - An obvious essential, but sometimes easily forgetable amongst the packing chaos. A definite recommendation would be to have a consistent theme so it's easily identifiable amongst your roommates dishes! I'd advise 2x of each for sure.
- Utensils: Forks, Butter knives, Teaspoons, Tablespoons, Chopsticks (if you use these!) various knive sizes for cooking. I advise again the same rule of two for each aside for your cooking knives!
- Items like: Cheese Graters, Pizza cutters, Peelers, Can Openers, Egg timers, Can openers (if you drink) are highly recommended!! Don't need two of each this time 😂
- Measuring Spoons if you especially cook a lot and use these
-Chopping Boards
- Large Kitchen utensils such as: Spoons, Spatula, Pasta Servers, Tongs, Whisks - whatever you usually have at home you'd probably want your own copy of for University!
- Pots and Pans of varying sizes for your cooking needs!
- Strainer (very important if you're a pasta lover like me)
- Tupperware - HEAVILY advised good for meal preps, storing left overs, etc!
- Air fryer - Do I have to explain? This CHANGES lives.
- Washing Up Liquid
- Sponges (I recommend Scrub Daddy for it's longevity and efficiency!)
Bathroom/Washing 🧼
- Hand Soap
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo/Conditioner/Any Other Hair Products you use!
- Body Wash
- Razor
- Charger for your toothbrush (if it's electric obviously ahaha)
- Any personal essentials
- Toilet Roll (especially if you're sharing halls with people you don't know, it can get hectic from what I've heard... 😭)
- Flip-Flops/Plastic Sliders: If you're using a communal shower this is a must as the floors can get really mucky.
- Laundry Detergent, Laundry Pods - whatever you use to clean clothes? You're gonna need it!
Health Essentials ❤️*🩹
- Medication such as painkillers, allergy tablets or if there's anything you personally use!
- Med kit (Bandages, Plasters, Antiseptics)
Bedroom 🛏️
- 2x Bedsheets, Duvet Cover and Pillow Cases
Mattress Protector/Topper
- 2x Body Towels
- 2x Hand Towels
- Blankets - comfy and great for warmth!!!
Laundry Baskets
- Extension Cables - some Uni rooms have barely any plug sockets or in the most uncomfortable spot, these really help!!
- USB Stick if your course requires especially a lot of tech usage! Stores all your files neatly and you can never lose them
- Chargers
- Clothing Hangers
Anyways, I could make this so much longer but this is an amazing start! My rule of thumb is just go double for most things!
Any more questions please feel free to reach out!!
- Vera, First Year Games Artist and Staffs Rep 🩷
(edited 3 weeks ago)
Reply 10
Original post
by kieraadnafter getting my first unconditional offer yesterday (🥳) i now know for definite i’m moving away. i’m trying to sort of start collecting stuff early so im not panic buying in august, what are some things i should look into getting that are essentials?
Congratulations on your unconditional offer, that’s amazing !! Here’s a link to a previous post on what to pack for university🙂 hope this helps.
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7623033&p=100850142
Molly
BCU Student rep x
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